Does Apple Watch SE 3 constantly update steps?

Does the Apple watch SE 3 offer constant update of steps

I've had the Apple watch a few times and haven't been pleased. It's nice for a watch but not what I look for to track my fitness.

My Garmin battery is going out and see the Apple watch se3 is less than the Garmin I'm looking at to replace it with.

I set goals based on my steps. The rings on other Apple watches I've had is nice but I'm interested in the amount of time I exercise and the number of steps. I usually set my phone where I can see the steps. But the apple watch doesn't update the steps regularly like fitbit and Garmin. Has the se3 been improved in this area?

On the garmin app and Google health apps , while I'm walking, it shows the number of steps as I walk. No delays. The apple watches I've had sometimes wouldn't update the steps for at least 15 minutes or longer. Seeing my steps seems to motivate me to do more steps.

So I'm asking prior to purchase.

Posted on Oct 27, 2026 11:35 AM

1 reply

WheelieNick

Level 9 (74,110 points)

Oct 28, 2026 4:55 AM in response to dbalge

No, the Apple Watch SE 3 does not offer real-time, second-by-second step updates while you walk like a Garmin or Fitbit does.

How Step Updates Work on Apple Watch

Complication Delays: Apple limits how often watch face complications (like step counters or third-party apps) can refresh in the background, typically updating only every 15 minutes or so.
Native Activity Focus: Apple Watch is built around its closing Activity Rings (Move, Exercise, Stand) rather than a live, on-screen step counter.
No Live Pedometer Display: Even though the internal motion sensors count your steps continuously in the background, the native interface and step-tracking apps do not stream live, rolling step increments to your wrist the way Garmin's dedicated step widget or Google/Fitbit trackers do.